How long will it take my period to return after I have my baby?

It will take some time for your body to return to normal after having your baby. The most important factor in helping to determine when your period returns is whether or not you are breastfeeding.

If you are bottle feeding, your period will likely return within about 6 to 8 weeks after your baby is born. Generally speaking, while you are breastfeeding, your period may not return at all. This is your body’s way of preventing additional pregnancies while you have a small infant. For some moms, menstruation may not return for months or even years while they are breastfeeding. Some moms won’t have another period until their baby is completely weaned.

For women who breastfeed, several other factors may help determine whether or not your period returns while you are breastfeeding, including:

– how often your baby is nursing

– how often and how much your baby’s diet is supplemented with bottles

– how long your baby sleeps at night

– whether or not your baby is taking solids

– whether or not your baby is using a pacifier

– your own personal body chemistry.

While you are breastfeeding, if your period does return, it may not be regular. It is not unusual for a woman’s cycle to go quicker or slower than normal while she is breastfeeding. Sometimes, a woman who is breastfeeding will skip periods altogether, or have months in between periods.

Having a period does not affect the quality of your milk supply. Some women do experience a dip in the amount of milk she is producing just before and during her period. After her period, once hormone levels return to normal, milk supply will generally come back up as well. In addition, some women will experience breast tenderness during her monthly cycle, and this can make breastfeeding something of a challenge.

Once your period returns, it is possible for you to get pregnant. If you do not wish to become pregnant again, you should resume any birth control practice.